Another Budget Turbo Build

[Rodoni]

I got this idea/motivation of this turbo build from Danny's and my friend's turbo build. They both spent about 1k and Im trying to do the same. I will include a list of parts and how much I paid for those parts. My buddy built his m20 car and I will mimic that build about 90%.

The car: 1989 325is with ~282,000 at the start of the build. Stock everything.



The build will start AFTER Bimmerfest '09 so dont risk breaking down on the drive down :). I will not get this done in 1 weekend, I am prepared to take 2 weeks. My car will be on jackstands and I will have to bum rides off friends :). I just turned 18 in March and this is my only car.

Power goals: 250rwhp. ~280 total (at about 9-10)

Parts list:
Volvo Turbo TD05-12B w/ wastegate and blow off valve
Intercooler Kit
1.9 short shifter
Begi 2027 RRFPR
19# Injectors
524td Mani
Down pipe
Good Couplers
TCD Chip



Parts Pics:
IC Piping:


ebay Intercooler:


volvo turbo w/ waste gate and BOV



Downpipe:


Injectors:


524td Mani:




Cuplers:





Thats all for now I believe, I will update this thread as things progress.

I just finished reading all 37 pages of Danny's build. My goals for this is to first get it running the best I can for the least amount of money possible. Then save up and upgrade, megasquirt etc.. My plans for this car is to keep it under 10psi max even with the megasquirt and whatnot. Because I do not have a lot of money right now and want to play it safe, Im going to start at about 6-7 psi for awhile and see how that goes, then increase as I collect nicer parts.

-Alex

[bumblebeemer]

wait your doing this setup to a 282k daily driver? your either pretty ballsy or pretty stupid if you think its gonna be reliable

[Julien]

i just turned 18 in march and this is my only car.

Power goals: 250rwhp. ~280 total

-alex

wins

[Rodoni]

eh, I figure since I have a spare m20 in the back It wouldnt be a huge deal. Also low mileage m20s arent hard to find anymore, and they arent terribly expensive.

[e30esque]

That volvo turbo is going to be too small for your purposes (pretty sure). Do you have any specs on it? I think its going to be more of a heat producer than boost machine.

[Rodoni]

That volvo turbo is going to be too small for your purposes (pretty sure). Do you have any specs on it? I think its going to be more of a heat producer than boost machine.

My buddy's car is using the same exact turbo. Hes putting out 250 at the wheels.

[Jbpka06]

that turbo is going to cause you some headaches. You will not be able to to control boost with the internal wategate and it is too small to make any good power with.

edit- 250 to the wheels with a the exact same turbo?

[Rodoni]

that turbo is going to cause you some headaches. You will not be able to to control boost with the internal wategate and it is too small to make any good power with.

edit- 250 to the wheels with a the exact same turbo?

Yessir, very same turbo.

[yert315]

The volvo turbos are tiny. Even the "big" turbos from them are about the size of your fists.
It should work for the time being, but I would recommend upgrading pretty soon.

Looks like you have a good start though! Props on the budget turbo. My dream is to own a turbo BMW someday. Hopefully I'll be able to start collecting parts this summer :crossesfingers:

[Jbpka06]

dyno sheets? that very hard to believe if he is running less than 10psi with that turbo.

[Rodoni]

dyno sheets? that very hard to believe if he is running less than 10psi with that turbo.

no dyno sheets yet, the car is very quick though. It feels must faster than my brothers e36M Once my car is done, I will dyno. The guestimate from him is 250 at the wheels. Considering he drives a lot of fast cars, hes a mechanic, and his daily driver being an e39 m5, I dont doubt him.

[Jbpka06]

I would say don't get your hopes too high but it should provide for a fun car. Double you budget, you will need it.

[Danny]

I'm at about 2500 with megasquirt and little shit that breaks and has to be upgraded.

[Rodoni]

All I know is that, if my car feels like his car by the time I'm done, then Ill be a happy camper.

I'm at about 2500 with megasquirt and little shit that breaks and has to be upgraded.

Ill end up doing megasquirt sooner or later. As long as I have a running turbo car around 1k then I reached my goal.

[bimmerboy08]

good luck dude